List of Indigenous rebellions in Mexico and Central America Facts for Kids

Indigenous rebellions in Mexico and Central America were times when native peoples fought back against European colonizers and new countries formed by settlers. These fights happened in areas that are now Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and parts of the United States.

Before the Spanish arrived, native groups in Central America already resisted the powerful Aztec Empire. During Spanish rule, common reasons for revolt included forced labor, the taking of native lands, and forcing communities to live in new villages or missions where they had to become Christians. After these countries became independent, settlers continued to take native lands. This was the main reason for more conflicts. Even today, resistance continues, like the Zapatista uprising.

Major Rebellions in History

Indigenous Rebellions in Mexico and Central America
Name of Conflict	Started	Ended	What the Fight Was About	Outcome
Yaqui Wars	1533	1929	The Yaqui people fought against both Spanish and later Mexican armies. These wars lasted for almost 400 years. The Spanish and Mexicans often attacked Yaqui lands, leading to many battles.	The Yaqui people successfully resisted, leading to better treatment for Native Americans in some areas.
Mixtón War	1540	1542	The Caxcan people in northwestern Mexico rebelled against the Spanish. The war was named after Mixtón, a hill that was a native stronghold.	The Spanish won.
Chichimeca War	1550	1590	This was a long war between the Spanish Empire and the Chichimeca groups in central Mexico. It was the longest and most expensive war the Spanish fought against native peoples in Mesoamerica.	The Chichimeca groups won militarily. Peace treaties led to native groups joining Spanish society.
Apache–Mexico Wars	1600s	1915	These wars began when Spanish settlers arrived in what is now New Mexico. The fighting between Mexicans and Apache was very strong from 1831 to the 1850s. Mexico continued to fight Apache groups until 1915.	Eventually, Mexican and American forces won.
Acaxee Rebellion	1601	1607	A man named Perico started this rebellion. He promised a new age mixing Spanish and native religious ideas. The Acaxee wanted to bring back their old ways that the Spanish had destroyed. They stopped silver mining for almost two years.	The Spanish won, but native people received better treatment. Some rebels joined another revolt later.
Tepehuán Revolt	1616	1620	The Tepehuán people in Mexico tried to break free from Spanish rule. The Spanish crushed the revolt by 1620. Many people died on both sides.	The Spanish won.
Pueblo Revolt	1680	1692	The Pueblo people rose up against Spanish rule in New Mexico. They were tired of harsh labor, their religion being banned, and Spanish violence. They killed 400 Spaniards and forced 2,000 settlers out.	The Pueblo people won and expelled the Spanish until 1692.
Pablo Presbere's insurrection	1709	1710	Pablo Presbere, a native king, learned the Spanish planned to move his people into Spanish-controlled villages. He and his allies attacked Spanish settlements. After some early success, the Spanish fought back.	The Spanish won, and the native leaders were executed.
Tzeltal Rebellion	1712	1713	Many Maya communities in Chiapas rebelled. This revolt included Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Chol peoples. The rebels rejected the Catholic Church and created their own native priesthood.	The Spanish won.
Pima Revolt	1751	1752	The Pima people rebelled against Spanish forces in New Spain. This revolt followed decades of violence from Spanish settlers. A leader named Luis Oacpicagigua helped unite the rebels. They attacked Spanish missions and settlements, killing many settlers.	The rebels surrendered after talks, and their leaders were pardoned.
Totonicapán Uprising	1820	1820	The K'iche' people in Guatemala rebelled against the Spanish Empire. They were angry about high taxes. They briefly set up their own free native government.	The Spanish won, but the leaders were pardoned because of ongoing independence struggles.
Texas–Indian wars	1820	1875	These were conflicts between Spanish, Mexican, and later American settlers in Texas and native peoples like the Comanche and Lipan Apache. The fighting continued even after Texas joined the United States.	American forces won. Many native peoples were forced onto reservations.
Comanche–Mexico Wars	1821	1870	The Comanche and their allies launched large raids into northern Mexico. Thousands of people died. These raids happened because Mexico's military was weak after gaining independence. Also, there was a big market in the U.S. for stolen Mexican horses and cattle.	Eventually, American forces won, and the Comanche were forced onto reservations.
Chumash revolt	1824	1824	The Chumash Native Americans rebelled against Spanish and Mexican presence on their lands. The rebellion started in three California missions and spread. It was the largest organized resistance in California during this period.	Mexican forces won.
Anastasio Aquino's Rebellion	1832	1833	Anastasio Aquino, a Salvadoran indigenous leader, led an uprising against the Federal Republic of Central America.	Central American forces won.
Chimayó Rebellion	1837	1837	This was a popular uprising in New Mexico against Governor Albino Pérez.	Mexican forces won.
Caste War of Yucatán	1847	1933	The Maya people of the Yucatán Peninsula rebelled against the local white and mixed-race elites. By the 1840s, Maya farmers were losing their land and being forced into debt. The war officially ended in 1901 when the Mexican army took the Maya capital. Skirmishes continued until 1933.	Mexican forces won.
Mexican Revolution in Morelos	February 1911	1920	When the Mexican Revolution began, native villages in Morelos had been losing land to large sugar farms for decades. A revolutionary army led by Emiliano Zapata grew strong and controlled Morelos. After defeating four national governments, Zapata's successor negotiated peace.	Successful: Morelos was able to make land reforms, and native villages got their lands back.
Chiapas conflict	January 1994	2014	On January 1, 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) started an uprising in Chiapas, Mexico. They protested a trade agreement called NAFTA. This led to the Zapatistas setting up an area they control. It involves Tzeltal and Tzotzil Maya, other native groups, and Ladinos.	Ongoing: The Zapatistas and the Mexican government mostly have a peaceful agreement.

List of Indigenous rebellions in Mexico and Central America facts for kids

Major Rebellions in History

See also